spaerer



1. SPAERER.

VEHICLE Smm.

I APLHATN FILED SEPT. 23| 195. 1 194,888.' Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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MK/M- i WJ A VORNE? J. SPAER'EB.'

VEHICLE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23| 1915.

1,194,888. Patented Aug. 15,1916.

25 2.6 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- w/mfssfs; y IIJ-miran"- MIX/M' f incassa.

To allwhom t may concern.'

`:fonia sPAEnnn, or NEWARK,- NEW JERSEY.'

i' iraniens-SIGNAL.

Be it known that L iloHN zen of the United States, residing at Newark, inthe county of Essex Yand State of New Jersey,'have"invented certain new and -useful Improvements Yin and Relating to Vehicle-Signals, of whichv the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to certain improvementsf in vehicle signals; andthe objects and nature o'f the invention will be readily understood by thosefskilled in theartin the Vlightr ofthe following, explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating whatI now believe tobethe preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of my invention from amongotherforms, constructions and yarrangements within the spirit and .scope thereof."

exceedingly simpleandeflicientmeans of an "improved character, 'through the medium of which a motor vehicle operator can, an- Aiou'nceto or warn others on the road that the motor -vehicle is preparing to' turn to either the .right or left'as the case may be, and.. thereby avoid the necessity of out stretching or extending anl arm to serve as a warning signal.

. A 4further Aobject of the invention is to provide animproved Ldirection annunciator or indicator for1 motor vehicles, `motor boats; and the like.

A `further object of the invention is to provide a combined direction annu.ncia'v tor and tail light casing for motor yehicles and the like.

A further `object of the inventionis to provide certain improvements lthe ar-v rangement and construction of parts and de- .-tails for the production of an improved highly advantageous fdirection indicator.

i or annunciatorfor motor vvehicles and the like.

The invention consists in certain novel Vfeatures in construction and in combinationsl and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth .and specified hereinafter.

, Referring to the accompanying drawings:

vFigureli, diagrammatically illustrates the rear-of a motor vehicle equipped with a.

ldirection indicator or annunciator and tail light in accordance'withmy invention. Fig. II, is a detail rear elevation of the anhunciator( Fig. III, is a vertical section in the planacf the line III-III, Fig. IVT

Specincation of Letters Patent.

number plate. An object of the4 invention is to provide,

Patent-ea hugs-15,1916.

i k.jpplcadzion led September 23, 1915. Serial No. 52,238.

Fig. IV, is a vertical longitudinalv section' SrAnRER, a citij through the annunciator. Fig. V, is across section in the plane of the line VV, Fig. IV. Fig. VI, shows the diagram.- Fig. VII, is a detail elevation. In the particular embodiment of 'my invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings, I provide an approximately cylindrical box or casing, ladapted tov be secured to the body, orany other desired portion, Aof a motorvehicle a, to expose the indicating or annunciating means carried by the' casing to the inspection of persons on thel road in -rear of said vehicle, and this ,casing` is.ar

ranged adjacent tothe license number late vehicle a, and contains a tail light, such as electric' light bulblS, for illuminating said In this example, indicating means embodies a 'radial swingable semaphore arm,

linger or pointerld, visible at the 'open end or face of the casing, and carried by'a rock.

shaft 7 mounted in and arranged` centrally and longitudinally of they casing, 'and provided' with andcarrying a soft iron or' other suitable armature 8, keyedor otherwise secured thereto and projecting radially therefrommidway between the coresl, of electromagnets 1l, carried by brackets 9, secured to the end wall of the casing' and insulated therefrom by suitable insulating-material 17. The electromagnets are similarly arranged with respect to the shaft and the armature- 8, at opposite sides ofthe shaft and armab, carried byand exposed atthe end ci the ture. `The shaft?, is-pr`eferably vcounter .weighted vto normally maintain the pointer 16, infupright verticalposition and the armature 8, projecting laterally' or horizontally from the shaft 7 midway between and equally spaced from the adjacent ends ofthe cores 10, of the electroniagnets.y The Shaft- 7, in the example illustrated, is thus counter- I weighted to overbala'nc/e the pointer 16 and armature 8, by counter-weight 112, suitably securedto and extending radially from vthe shaft preferably adjacent to a wall orvertical partition of the casing. This counterweight normally depends' from thefshaft i', and if so deired,.can carry a friction spring 13, bearing against the said wall or partition of the casing to prevent'abnormal oscillation or movement of the shaft', and the linger or pointer 16, inasmuch as the electromagnets 11 are normally denergized and the shaft 7 free to oscillate vorwroclf: except for lbe provided adjacent to the steering Awheel tor vehicle operator,

such resistance as may be oii'ered bythe spring 13 bearing against the Wall or partition.

The two eleetroma nets have their coils 11, arranged or inclu 'ed in separate and independent normally open or inoperative electric circuits 11, that include any suitable source of electrical energy such as battery 11b, and these circuits are means whereby either circuit can be independently closed to energize its magnet coil 11, independently of and without energizing the' coil o'f the other magnet 11. QueY or more manually or otherwise controlled or operated circuit closers 11-, can be provided for this purpose, and this circuit closer, or these circuit closers :an be located at any desirable portion of the automobile so as to be readily accessible from the automobile drivers seat. For instance, each circuit 11, can be provided with its own circuit closer in the form of .a push button or the like arranged adjacent to the steering post or to the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, or if so desired, a.V double switch such as 11c can 'or otherwise so as to be accessible to the moand arranged to control both circuits 11, by breaking either cir` cuit whenfit i's lswung to close the other circuit.

Whenever the operator actuates the circuit closer to close a circuitlla, the electromag- 4net of that circuit is thereupon energized and the armature 8 is drawn to the core of such magnet, rocking the shaft 7, and carrying the pointer 16, to a horizontal position indicating the direction in which the motor vehicle is about to turn. One ofthe magnets 11, will propel the shaft 7, in a direction to cause the pointer 16, to move toward the right and to thereby indicate that the motor vehicle is about to turn in that direction, while the pther magnet whenenergized i magnet cores.

,y [a Vout to turn toward the left.

will propel the shaft 7 ,A in the oppositedirection and cause the pointer to assume a position indicating'V that the motor vehicle is Whenever a terweight 12, will thereupon automatically rock the shaft to return the pointer 16, to normal upwardly extending position and the "armature 8, to normal position midway Abetween and equally spaced from the' two Any suitable means can be provided to f limit the downward swing of the pointer 16,

when pointing either to the right or the left, or in other words to limit the swing of the pointer to air/arc of approximately 180 degrces. For instance,' I show projections,

` such as pins 21, carried by and extending horizontally in opposite directions from the vweight `12and adapted to engage a stop 14,i

provided, with erably Ee1rcuit 11j, is broken the magnet 11 ofthat circuit 4becomes denergized, and the counbe connected b'y circuit 11",

fixed to a wall or partition whenever the pointer 16, approximately reaches a horizontal position, l 1

In the example illustrated, the rear end of the shaft 7 is mounted to rotate freely in the rear end wall of the casing '1, while the forward portion of said shaft extends forwardly through a lixed wall 3 of the casing and is supported by'and rotates in a journal box 15, carried by said wall while the forwardly projecting end of the the hub of the pointer 16, fitted thereon and removably..securedtlieretov The pointer 16, is t nu's arrangedin advance of Ithe partition 3, which in effect constitutes the face plate of the annunciator and background for the pointer, which if so desired can, have a black surface, so as to be clearly visible. The pointer is preferably in the shape of an arrow for the purpose lof cle'jally indicating direction. a transparent end wall or window, such as glass panel 4, through which the pointer is visible and by which it isprotected. The casing is formed with a chamber or space by and between the face dow or panel 4, and the pointer is arranged and operates in this chamber. I also prefprovide means for illuminating this chamber so that the pointer will be clearly visible at night. In the example illustrated, theA plate -3, carries a pair of electric light bulbs 24, projecting forwardly i therefrom into said chamber, and these bulbs are us'ually equally spaced from the shaft 7, on opposite sides thereof and in a horizontal line therewith so that .when the pointer isl in either horizontal direction indicating position it will cover one of said bulbs from vision through window 4, while the other bulb remains exposed and uncovered. The sockets for these bulbs extend forwardly through and are fitted in holes 19, inthe plate 3, so that the wiring for the bulbs can be arranged within the casing and at the opposite side of thehplate 3, from the chamberreontlaining .the pointer while 'the bulbs ca'A` be removed` and applied to the sockets` through said chamber and without removing saidplate. Any suitablecircuit or circuits can be vprovided for connecting.;y said bulbs with a suitable source of electrical energy, andv these circuits, or this circuit, can be provided with any suitable circuit closer or closers whereby the bulbs can be lighted and extinguished. For instance, bulbs can and provided with'circuit'closer or closers ',11, usually arranged so as to be readilygac- 'cessible from the drivers seatl I preferably provide the' casing with means for illuminating the vlicense numberl plate jb, and for otherwise serving-thepur-I with battery 11",

so l can be provided i with a white surface forming' a contrasting e casing is preferably provided with plate 3, and winy 1'5 shaft has .panel 4;

menace connection with bulbs 24, and ii1 soldesired,

'this tail light bulb can be included-inthe same circuit as lights 24:, and controlled by the-saine circuit closer or other means. The bulb 18,'is usually arranged below and in the same vertical `plane as the shaft 7, and a ra-i dial` openingor otherw-indow 22, is formed in 'the wall of the casing immediately below said.l bulb l18, so that the light rays therefrom can illuminate'the license plate which is preferably arranged immediately below the. annunciator. Y A

The chamber of the" casing containing the l pointer 16, is subdivided by a suitable opaque shield," hood, or partition-dto pro vide a chamber or inclosure ffor'bulb 18.A AThis shield is arranged in the lower half of the casingbelo'w the pointer and the bulbsk 24, and entirely out of theV path' of movement of 'the pointer. Theshield is usually in the rm of a curved or segmental im- 'peri'iorate opaque plate or sheet at its ends fitting ends of the vwindow 22,'and at one edge iitting the vertical surface .of plate 3, and atl the other edge the glass or other transparent In border topermit the bulb 18, to perform the vfunctionsfof a tail light in displayingv a red or danger signal at the rear ofthe vehicle, I preferably insert a' transparent redor lens 5, in the outer wallfof casing section 2, and immediately behind-the tail light 18.

The casing l, preferably comprises outer section 2, and .cupdike section 1, closed atV one end by the base wall having projecting ears 23, by which the casing can be secured to the motor vehicle, and at its opposite or outer end having internal and external annular fianges 3, 2n. The outer section 2, is annular and iianged at its inner end to tit the' iange 2a, of section 1, to which it is removably secured by suitable screws or bolts. The outer end of section l, is closed by rigid" opaque plate or disk 3, which fits and is eecured to iiange 3a, by suitable screws or bolts, and is arranged within and sur rounded by the inner end of section 2.

The section 2;] is also approximately cuplike and carries the panel 4, the glass or lens 5, and thevhood 6, and is removable from section 1, and plate-3, to permit access to the bulbs and to the pointer 16, and to permit renewal and cleaning vof glass panels 4 and 5.

The casing section 1 can be provided with i exterior binding posts 25 to which wires can be coupled to complete the electromagnetic energizing circuits 11, and also with extethe wallbf the'casing at opposite loi my invention and hence l do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

What Iclaim is: 1. A vehicle signal comprising a case having a face plate forming the outer wall of a compartment within the case, a rock shat mounted 1n the case and extending through y said compartment and through said wall and at the outer face of said wall provided with a semaphore and within the compartment rovided with and carrying a. friction spring caring against said wall, a counterweight carried by said shaft and arranged within said compartment to normally hold the shait with the semaphore in upright position, a

stop carried by said wall, a member carried by said shaft to engage said stop to lnnit the swing of the semaphore in either direction;

and electromagnetic means arranged 1n said sov compartment for rocking said shaft in either direction.

p 2. A combined vehicle signai and tail light comprising a casing having meansproviding an internal tail light compartment and an internal indicator compartment shut ed Jironi said tail light compartment, said tail light compartment provided with a vlateral window and also with an outer side window, means to provide a light in said taii iight compartment, said indicator compartment vicc having an' outer side window, means to provide a light in said indicator compartment7 a direction indicating visible indicator in said indicator compartment, and operating and controlling means for said indicator.v

3. 'A combined -vehicle signal and tail light comprising a casing provided with a lateral window and a tail light compartment from which said window opens, said casing having an outer side window opening into said comu partment, a tail light in said compartment, direction indicating signaling means in said casiiig and shut oii' from said tail light'compartment. said casing` having an outer' side window for exposing said signaling means, and controlling devices for said signaling means.

4. A combined vehicle direction indicator and tail light comprising a casing having a face plate and an outer section providing an indicator compartment at the outer side of said face plate and a tail light compartment at the outer side of said face plate, said section provided with a partition shutting ed the tail light compartment from the indieator compartment, said face plate provided with means to support tail light light compartment and with means to support an illuminating light in the indicator in the tail ist compartment, said section providing outer ing and controlling means forv said semaf side windows exposing' said compartments and with a lateral WndOW from the tall light compartment, and direction indicating means in the indicator compartment.

`tl'irough which said semaphore is visible,

5. A vehicle signal comprising al Calg having a face plate and a transparent Wli' dow, a rock shaft arranged longitudinally the casing and provided With a'visible seina:

phore between the face plate and window, aV

xed stop, said shaft being provided with radial arms behind Said face plate to engage said stop, voppositely arranged eleeti'gpi'iiag'f.-l

nets in the casing, an armature for ,milking said shaft in either direction, said. armature being normally'arranged between said maga nets', said'magnets being normally d'nQI-v gized and provided with independent ener-f g'izing circuits anda counterweight behind said plate and fixed to said shaft for returning said` rock shaft to and for normally maintainin the same in neutral position.

6. A com ined vehicle signal and tail lightvcomprising a casing provided with a side Window and an internal 'compartment from phore, said casing comprising a removable section having 'a window1 at its rear side 8, vehicle signal comprising csmppsed Qi two cup-like sectionssecured together, a face plate secured-to one of said sec'tipns said casing into compait- 55.

ments and prgvided 'withmean's adapted -to receive electric light" bulbs', a 'transparent plate .secured te and @losing theoutelf' end f the 'ether of said sections, electric llight bulbs L carried by the means on said face plate and 5 between said face plate and said transpari ent p1ate, a direction indicating semaphore arranged between said plates, actuatng which said Window opens, said casing having a rear signaling Window opening into said compartment, means within thev casing to carry an electric light bulb in said compartment, a direction indicating visible indicator in said casing, said casing having arear window for exposing said indicator, andy opdicator, said means lerating and controlling means for said inbeing arranged Within saidcasing.

7. A combinedvehicle signal and tail light comprising a casing, a movabledirection indicating semaphore carried therebyg'actuabmeans for said semaphore, and means reignmovably securing said sectionsltogetherj whereby said section carrying; saidl transparent plate maybe renaeveil,f thereby ex-f posin vsaid face plate and semaphore and light ulbs to permit theirkremcval-there 7b' from.

In testimony wherecl I, axi my signature y in the presence of two witnesses! i .JOHN

Witnesses: f

" JOHN J. Harriman,[yI`

FREDERICK Srani'ranl" SrAEnERz-Q af'casing 

